my  SOLDIGR  BOV 


MRS.JOHN  ARCHIBALD  MORISON 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


My  Soldier  Boy 

And  Other  Poems 


BY 


MRS.  JOHN  ARCHIBALD  MORISON 


BOSTON:  THE  GORHAM  PRESS 

TORONTO:  THE  COPP  CLARK  CO.,  LIMITED 


COPYRIGHT,  1916,  BY  MRS.  JOHN  ARCHIBALD  MORISON 


All  Rights  Reserved 


The  Gorham  Press,  Boston,  U.  S.  A. 


Printed  in  the  United  States  of  America 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

My  Soldier  Boy 7 

A  Soldier's  Wife 8 

Ypres 9 

'  'Somewhere  in  France " 10 

Are  Ye  Worthy? n 

God  Save  Our  Empire 12 

June 13 

Success 14 

August 15 

November '.....  16 

Autumn 17 

Winter 18 

Summer 19 

Death 20 

The  Mountains 21 

Morning 22 

A  Summer  Evening 23 

The  Evening  of  Life 24 

March 24 

Indian  Summer 25 

Baby  Mine 26 

Spring  Days 27 

The  True  Friend 28 

A  Recollection 29 


626080 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Music 30 

Remembrance 31 

I  Love  Thee 32 

Love 33 

Lines  for  a  Guest  Book 34 

An  Autumn  Night 34 

Springtime  in  the  City 35 

Life's  Requirement 35 

Goldenrod 36 

An  Easter  Greeting 37 

A  New  Year's  Greeting 38 

A  Child's  Prayer 39 

Easter 40 

Christmas 41 

Only  a  Teacher 42 

Hope 43 

The  New-Mown  Hay 44 

When  Autumn  Comes 45 

White  Caps 46 


MY  SOLDIER  BOY 


MY  SOLDIER  BOY 

SOLDIER  boy,  O  soldier  boy, 
Strong  and  brave  and  true, 

You're  off  to  fight  for  England 
And  for  the  Empire  too. 

0  soldier  boy,  I'm  proud, 
I'm  proud,  I  don't  deny, 

Tho'  in  my  throat  a  tightness 
And  tears  will  fill  my  eyes. 

1  give  him  up  to  England 

0  England  don't  you  see 
I  love,  I  love  thee,  England, 

My  heart  I  send  to  thee. 

My  brave  and  true  and  strongest 

Pure  gold  without  alloy, 
O  England,  England,  England, 

1  gave  my  soldier  boy. 


A  SOLDIER'S  WIFE 

HE'S  gone!    It  seems  as  if  the  world  stood  still 
Time's  lost  its  rhythm:     Lengthening  hours  too 

long, 

To-morrow  I  must  work,  I'll  have  my  fill 
To-day  of  loneliness,  it  may  be  wrong 
But  naught's  worth  while  when  he's  away, 
His  chair  and  book  are  wrapt  in  silence 
And  seem  to  wait  and  listen  all  the  day, 
With  loneliness  and  waiting  that  is  tense 
I  strive  to  hear  the  step  that  comes  not, 
And  then  I  fall  asleep  and  think  he's  near, 
I  wake  and  smother  back  the  tears :  the  sought 
Is  far  away — O  GOD,  TO  HIM  BE  NEAR. 


YPRES 
Ypres,  April  22-24,  I9I5- 

IMMORTAL  they  who  won  Ypres! 

O  Canada!    Thy  sons  untried, 

Died  as  heroes  ever  died. 

Was  it  the  blood  of  all  their  sires 

Calling  them  on  and  on  through  fire? 

Exhaustion,  agony,  despair, 

A  deadly  gas  that  filled  the  air. 

Nor  flinched,  nor  ever  thought  retreat, 

These  lads  who  did  not  know  defeat, 

Fought  on  and  on  until  they  won. 

O  Canada,  thy  worthy  sons! 

The  midnight  hour  in  that  dark  wood 

Their  souls  in  exaltation  stood ; 

They  vanquished  death :    Immortal  they, 

Who  saved  the  Empire  at  Ypres. 


"SOMEWHERE  IN  FRANCE" 

SOMEWHERE  in  France 

Marked  by  a  cross 

That  is  all,  save  the  heart  loss, 

Still  in  his  grave  he  lies 

Smiled  on  by  sunny  skies 

Wept  on  by  cold  bleak  rain 

While  on   clear  nights  in  vain 

The  silent  stars  are  tapers  lit 

While  here  I  sit  lone,  lone  and  knit. 

Somewhere  in  France 
No  hope,  no  chance  I  see 
Can  ever  bring  him  back  to  me 
Only  a  silence  without  despair 
Proud  he  lies  a  hero  there. 
The  rainbow  will  smile  above  it 
The  wild  rose  too  will  bloom  a  bit 
Somewhere  in  France. 

France  and  my  soul  are  knit 

Richer  the  soil  of  it 

Where  thousands  of  brave  men  die 

There  side  by  side  they  lie 

Never  again  to  his  native  land 

Always  to  rest  with  that  noble  band 

Lilies  of  France  with  hearts  of  gold 

Stand  guard  o'er  the  graves  of  these  heroes  bold. 


10 


ARE  YE  WORTHY? 

ARE  ye  worthy,  ye  of  the  British  Empire, 

Are  ye  worthy  the  men  that  die? 

Worthy  the  pain  and  suffering 

Worthy  the  sacrifice? 

Ye  of  the  British  Empire,  are  ye  worthy 

All  this  for  you; 

They  are  willing  and  glad  to  do. 

There  are  wounded  and  suffering  in  Flanders 

And  out  on  the  Dardanelles, 

Not  to  speak  of  the  gallant  sailors 

Their  vigil  ye  know  it  well. 

Are  ye  worthy,  ye  of  the  British  Empire 

Are  ye  worthy  we  ask  it  again 

Worthy  such  sorrow  and  pain? 

And  after  they've  saved  the  Empire 
Are  ye  worthy  to  make  and  to  frame 
(Worthy  the  blood  and  the  fire) 
An    Empire   untarnished   in   name? 
Worthy  the  pain  and  the  suffering 
Worthy  the  men  who  die.  .   .   . 
Worthy  the  blood  and  the  sorrow 
Worthy  the  sacrifice? 


II 


GOD  SAVE  OUR  EMPIRE  * 

GOD  save  our  Empire  now 
And  let  her  never  bow 

At  tyrant's  knee — 
Preserve  her ;  strong  for  right 
And  ever  brave  to  fight 
Defending  truth  with  might 

While  Empires  be. 

God  guard  our  Empire  long 
Keep  her  both  great  and  strong 

Dauntless  and  free — 
Send  her  a  gracious  dower 
Help  her  in  danger's  hour 
Protect  her  mighty  power 

On  land  and  sea. 

*God  Save  Our  Empire,  My  Soldier  Boy,  A  Soldiers' 
Wife  and  "Somewhere  in  France"  have  received  Honourable 
Mention  with  High  Commendation  in  the  Prize  Competi 
tion  in  the  "Bookman,"  London. 


12 


JUNE 

O  JUNE  so  fair! 

O  June  so  fleet! 

Your  hours  go  by  on  winged  feet. 

O  June  so  blue! 

O  June  so  green! 

With  just  some  fleecy  clouds  between. 

O  June  so  sweet! 

O  June  so  fair! 

While  buds  are  bursting  everywhere. 

O  June  for  love! 
O  June  for  joy! 
And  June  for  beauty,  unalloy. 


SUCCESS 

To  wake  while  yet  the  day  is  young, 
To  feel  that  there  are  songs  unsung, 
To  find  your  work  each  rising  sun, 
To  know  the  joy  of  work  well  done. 

To  catch  the  joy  each  passing  day, 
The  throbbing  joy  of  life,  I  say, 
In  sun  and  wind  and  rain  and  sky, 
And  lift  a  thankful  heart  on  high. 

To  know  always  that  life  is  sweet 
With  love  and  home  there's  no  defeat 
Success  in  life !    You've  found  the  clue, 
Believe  me,  friend,  I  tell  you  true. 


AUGUST 

FULL  to  the  brim  is  summer's  cup 
With  sunshine  joy  filled  up, 
The  sun  beats  down  on  sandy  shores 
The  waters  lap  idly  o'er  and  o'er, 
The  earth  is  warm  and  dry  and  sweet 
All  is  bathed  in  a  solar  heat; 
'Neath  great  wide  stretch  of  sunny  sky 
The  vast  broad  sweep  of  waters  lie. 
Now  are  summer's  hopes  complete 
Now  the  rest  of  contentment  sweet. 


NOVEMBER 

THERE'S  always  a  promise  of  better  things 

'Tis  November  that  holds  the  buds  of  spring. 

There's  always  a  promise  of  better  things 

Tho'  over  your  life  the  shadows  cling. 

When  all  the  summer's  joy  is  gone 

And  clouds  hang  thick  for  days  along, 

The  fog  is  damp  and  cold  and  gray 

The  joy  of  life  is  behind  you  say; 

Just  look  at  the  bushes  and  buds  on  the  way, 

The  buds  are  forming  already  for  May, 

They  are  the  promise  of  coming  spring 

There's  always  a  promise  of  better  things. 

In  the  winter  that  makes  your  life  so  bare 

Look  well  and  you'll  find  the  buds  hidden  there. 


16 


AUTUMN 

THERE  is  magic  in  her  colors  and  witcheries  abound 
And  soft  the  leaves  are  whispering  that  drop  upon 

the  ground. 
The  maple  trees  are  making  to  crown  her  noble 

head 
A  floating  scarf,  of  crimson,  of  gold  and  flaming 

red. 
While  fading  ferns  give  fragrance,  the  strong  and 

sturdy  oak 
Will  toss  upon  her  shoulders  his  own  deep  colored 

cloak. 
The  beeches  and  the  birches  are  weaving  yards  of 

gold, 
And  the  bittersweet  and  woodbine  make  draperies 

untold. 
While  out  upon  the  silent  hills  that  only  seem  to 

wait 
The  long  blue  veils  are  making  to  wrap  her  up 

when  late. 

The  color  and  the  witchery  that  everywhere  abound. 
O  close  your  eyes  and  listen  to  that  soft  rustling 

sound. 
The  witchery  of  color!     What  joy   there   is   in 

sight ! 
But  'tis  what  autumn  makes  me  feel  that  gives  my 

heart  delight. 


WINTER 

OFT  have  I  pitied  one  and  all 

Who  shut  themselves  in  city  wall 

And  know  not  that  though  summer's  fled 

Winter  and  beauty  now  are  wed. 

Oft  have  I  seen  the  sky  as  blue 
And  seen  the  river  run  as  true, 
Or  loved  the  golden  sunny  noon 
As  in  fair  June. 

I've  seen  the  sunshine  on  the  hill 
And  heard  the  birds  in  joyous  thrill 
And  seen  the  sunset  O  so  tender! 
In  bleak  December. 

The  frozen  road  makes  easy  pace 
The  cold  clear  air  upon  my  face 
And  I  ani  gay  and  young,  remember, 
'Tis  cold  December. 


18 


SUMMER 

O  WHY  was  the  summer  so  sweet? 

'Twas  made  of  dawns  and  of  calm  noontides 

And  sunsets  where  colors  reside. 

The  beautiful  peace  of  the  deep  purple  night 

And   the  glorious  joy  of  sunlight: 

The  friendship  of  stars,  of  wind  and  of  trees 

Good  comrades  indeed  were  these; 

The  sound  on  the  pane  of  the  sweet  gentle  rain 

That  comes  like  an  old  refrain, 

The  soft  night  breeze  that  sang  in  the  trees 

And  told  of  the  murmuring  sea: 

The  love  in  your  eyes  that  time  did  defy 

'Twas  that  made  a  summer  for  me. 


DEATH 

O  DEATH!  come  not  near, 
Take  not  from  me  the  one  so  dear. 
Is  there  no  bribe  you  take? 
Is  there  no  challenge  I  can  make 
Will  keep  thee  back? 

O  Death!  stand  back, 

Cans't  thou  not  wait? 

Beyond  thy  gate,  eternal  silence  is  the  fate. 

My  gold,  my  all  with  thee  I  stake 

The  price  of  just  one  day. 

O  Death  cans't  thou  not  wait 

But  one  more  day? 


20 


THE  MOUNTAINS 

THE  mountains  lift  their  heads  on  high 
To  hear  the  music  of  the  sky 
They  stand  so  strong,  so  firm,  so  still 
The  storms  break  over  them  at  will 
They  care  not  for  the  tempest  blow 
For  stormy  blast  or  icy  snow: 
Serene,  let  all  the  world  go  by 
They  hear  the  music  of  the  sky. 


21 


MORNING 

SUNSHINE  on  the  river 

Shining  on  the  mill, 

Just  a  little  mist 

Hanging  on  the  hill; 

Cattle  seek  their  pasture 

Where  the  grass  is  new, 

Every  bird  is  singing 

Of  its  love  anew; 

Pretty  little  white  sails 

Fallen  fast  asleep 

Wait  for  morning  breeze 

To  make  them  dance  and  leap; 

All  the  grass  and  daisies 

Wet  with  shining  dew, 

Wonderful  the  sunshine 

Every  day  renewed. 


22 


A  SUMMER  EVENING 

THE  summer  sun  is  setting 

And  the  winds  are  quiet  and  still 

While  the  shades  of  blue  are  deepening 

On  the  slope  of  yonder  hill. 

The  little  birds  are  singing 

In  the  trees  an  even  song 

And   I  hear  the  bells  a-tinkling 

As  the  cattle  come  along; 

The  light  so  quiet  and  pleasing 

And  the  fragrance  from  the  flowers : 

My  heart  to  beauty  yielding 

Feels  the  sweetness  of  the  hour. 


THE  EVENING  OF  LIFE 

WHEN  the  sun  of  life  is  setting 
And  the  strife  of  life  is  still, 
And  we  know  our  journey's  over, 
And  we  are  waiting  for  His  will, 
May  that  even  be  as  peaceful 
As  a  summer  eve  is  calm, 
While  we  come  into  the  harbor 
At  our  gracious  Lord's  command. 


MARCH 

O  MARCH,  we  love  thy  lengthening  days 
With  lovely  sunshine  gladdening  rays 
And  though  the  winter  to  thee  cling 
We'll  journey  with  thee  to  the  spring. 


24 


INDIAN  SUMMER 

SUMMER'S  gone :    We  said  good-bye 
Saw  her  going  with  a  sigh 
Saw  the  birds  fly  south  away 
Saw  the  sky  grow  sad  and  grey 
Then  upon  our  mist  and  rain 
Summer  turned  her  face  again; 
There  was  pathos  in  her  gaze 
In  her  eyes  a  misty  haze 
But  'twas  summer,  and  her  smile 
Into  gladness  did  beguile. 
Those  who  have  no  vision  clear 
Said  "Ah!  Indian  Summer's  here." 
We  who  knew  her  face  so  well 
Knew  she'd  turned  to  say  farewell. 


BABY   MINE 

WHERE  did  that  little  baby  go 

I  used  to  love  and  cuddle  so? 

She  did  not  die  or  run  away 

But  just  grew  bigger  day  by  day; 

And  now  in  place  of  Baby  Mine 

I've  got  a  child  to  run  and  climb. 

Where  did  that  little  baby  go 

I  used  to  love  and  cuddle  so? 

Then  came  a  child  with  books  and  skates 

Would  rather  play  with  little  mates, 

She's  grown  so  big,  she's  grown  so  tall 

I  wonder  if  she's  mine  at  all. 

Where  did  that  little  baby  go 

I  used  to  love  and  cuddle  so? 


26 


SPRING  DAYS 

THE  sun  is  beaming 
Water  streaming 
Cocks  are  crowing 
Cattle  lowing 
Birds  are  singing 
Earth   is   ringing 
With  the  glad  springtime. 
Clouds  are  flying 
Fields  are  drying 
Flowers  are  budding 
Sunshine  flooding 
Buds  are  bursting 
Earth  is  thirsting 
For  the  glad  springtime. 


THE  TRUE  FRIEND 

YOUR  friendship  has  not  faltered 
And  your  kindness  never  altered 
Nor  in  your  thinking  aught  but  true 
No  need  explain  it  all  to  you 
In  storm  and  stress  you  stood  beside 
Fortune  frowned  when  scandal  lied 
Friends  forsook  and  hope  denied 
"Now  let  me  help  whate'er  betide" 
Though  fortune  smiles  still  you  are  true 
I  thank  the  Lord  each  night  for  you. 


A  RECOLLECTION 

WHEN  I  was  just  a  little  tot 
We  sisters  slept  in  one  small  cot: 
Our  granny  dear  would  come  upstairs 
"O  Bairnies,  have  you  said  your  prayers?" 

And  this  each  night  was  what  she  said 
And  snugly  tucked  us  up  in  bed 
Then  patting  back  my  wayward  hair 
"O  Bairnies,  have  you  said  your  prayer?" 

But  sorrow  crept  inside  our  door: 
Then  first  I  learned  the  face  she  wore 
My  heart  was  filled  with  pain  and  fear 
"Come  say  a  prayer,  my  Bairnie  dear." 

Since  then  the  years  have  passed  away 
Yet  still  I  seem  to  hear  her  say, 
When  days  are  dark  and  filled  with  care 
"O  Bairnie,  have  you  said  your  prayer?" 


29 


MUSIC 

IT  is  singing  all  around  overhead 

I  hear  it  in  the  wind  I  have  said. 

In  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  that  are  dead 

It  is  singing  everywhere.     At  the  dawn, 
You  can  hear  it  in  the  twilight  pale  and  wan 
And  in  the  golden  sunshine  all  day  long. 

In  the  storm,  in  the  mist  and  in  the  rain 
Though  you  may  not  know  the  sound  there's  the 

strain 
Of  music.     If  you  catch  it  you  have  gain 

In  the  waters  as  they  break  on  the  shore 
In  the  bloom  of  the  rose  bush  by  the  door 
You  can  hear  it  singing  o'er  and  o'er. 

In  the  moonlight  as  it  floods  through  the  trees 
When  it  shines  upon  the  waters  of  the  seas 
Everywhere  it's  whispering  in  the  breeze. 

Everywhere  around  it's  afloat 

Sometimes,  I  catch  far  off — just  a  note 

Or  perhaps — it's  an  echo,  so  remote, 

Of  those  heavenly  songs  that  fly 

Like  sweet  incense  to  the  sky; 

For  it's  everywhere  on  earth  and  on  high. 


REMEMBRANCE 

FORGET!    Ah  no,  life's  cares  dispel 
But  always  it  comes  back  to  me 
The  thought  of  thee !    Ah  well, 
The  thought  of  thee,  like  music  sweet 
Heard  'mid  the  din  of  city  street 
Then  lost  amid  the  strife, 
So  memory  breaks  into  my  life. 


I  LOVE  THEE 

I  LOVE  thee,  O  I  love  thee,  as  the  sunrise  loves  the 

morn, 
I  love  thee  as  the  birds  love  when  the  golden  light 

is  born, 
I  love  thee,  ah  I  love  thee,  as  the  night  clouds  love 

the  star, 
I  love  thee,  yes  I  love  thee,  though  thou  shine  un- 

dimmed  afar, 
I  love  thee,  O  I  love  thee,  as  the  wavelets  love  the 

shore, 
I  love,  I  love,  I  love  thee,  I  love  thee  and  adore. 

I  love  thee,  yes  I  love  thee,  as  the  color  loves  the 
rose, 

I  love  thee,  as  the  sun  a  hilltop,  when  the  day  is 
near  its  close, 

I  love  thee  with  the  tenderness  of  sunset's  after 
glow 

When  all  the  warmth  of  color  breaks  o'er  my  soul. 
I  know, 

I  love  thee  with  the  steadfastness  of  cliffs  where 
oceans  sweep 

I  love  thee  and  eternally  my  love  for  thee  will  keep. 


LOVE 

WHEN  the  mount  to  Mahomet  has  run 
When  the  earth  has  forgotten  the  sun 
When  the  work  of  the  world  is  all  done 
Then  shall  I  cease  to  love  thee. 

When  I've  mortgaged  my  castles  in  Spain 
When  laughter  and  life  are  in  vain 
When  dreams   come   true   in    the  main 
Then  shall  I  cease  to  love  thee. 

When  the  birds  come  not  back  in  the  spring 
When  the  lilacs  no  perfume  shall  bring 
When  the  moonlight  no  magic  shall  fling 
Then  shall  I  cease  to  love  thee. 

When  my  ships  come  home  from  the  sea 
When  the  tides  all  run  and  are  free 
And  time  itself  shall  not  be 
Then  shall  I  cease  to  love  thee. 


33 


LINES  FOR  A  GUEST  BOOK 

I  THANK  thee  for  thy  kind  behest 
Which  bade  me  be  thy  welcome  guest 
For  hospitality  so  fair 
Of  which  I've  had  a  royal  share. 

For  thy  hospitalitie 

To  this  goodly  companie 

Ere  we  make  our  farewell  bow, 

Let  us  thank  thee  here  and  now. 


AN  AUTUMN  NIGHT 

THE  brilliant  silent  stars  look  down 
Upon  the  sleeping  wind-swept  town 
The  dead  leaves  fall  upon  the  ground 
Whirl  through  the  streets  with  dreary  sound. 


34 


SPRINGTIME  IN  THE  CITY 

ONLY  a  bunch  of  violets  wild 
Pinned  on  the  coat  of  a  little  child 
As  she  passed  me  by  in  the  dusty  street 
But  it  opened  to  me  a  vista  sweet. 


LIFE'S  REQUIREMENT 

A  LITTLE  work,  a  little  play, 

A  few  friends  true  upon  the  way, 

Enough  to  eat,  enough  to  wear 

And  just  a  little  bit  to  share, 

Some  one  to  love  and  be  beloved 

A  faith  and  trust  in  God  above. 

A  roof  my  own  above  my  head, 

A  place  to  lie  in  when  I'm  dead; 

With  health  and  hope  and  courage  grand 

What  more  from  life  can  kings  command. 


35 


GOLDENROD 

PRETTY  little  Goldenrod 
Shakes  her  graceful  head  and  nods, 
Nods  farewell  to  summer  gay 
Autumn  now  is  on  the  way. 

Straight  and  graceful  does  she  stand 
First  of  autumn's  heralds  grand 
Bright  and  beautiful  are  they 
Autumn  now  is  on  the  way. 

Like  the  sun  when  day  is  done 
Thou  art  summer's  setting  sun; 
Soon  the  tints  will  fade  to  grey 
Autumn  now   is  on   the  way. 


AN  EASTER  GREETING 

MAY  all  your  griefs  and  sorrows 

Be  buried  deep  to-day; 

And  all  your  pain  and  sadness 

Lie  low  in  the  grave  for  aye : 

But  may  there  rise  triumphant 

Into  your  heart  anew 

A  joy  and  love  and  gladness 

And  peace,  sweet  peace,  for  you. 


A  NEW  YEAR'S  GREETING 

MAY  joy  and  hope  and  happiness 
Be  yours  this  coming  year  ; 
May  love  of  those  that  you  love 
Bring  to  your  heart  much  cheer. 
May  you  have  the  best  of  blessings 
That  this  round  year  contains, 
May  you  know  much  of  its  gladness 
And  but  little  of   its  pain. 


A  CHILD'S  PRAYER 

O  JESUS! 

Thou  who  loved  the  children 
And  held  them  in  thine  arms 
Look  on  me  and  love  me 
And  keep  me  safe  from  harm. 
Thou  who  blessed  the  children 
That  gathered  round  thy  knee 
Look  on  me  and  bless  me 
And  keep  my  life  for  thee. 


39 


EASTER 

THE  garden  grave,  Gethsemane,  are  past 
Easter  morn!     And  joy  had  come  at  last. 
False  friends  forgot:   And  the  crown  of  thorn 
In  the  glory  of  the  resurrection  morn. 

A  garden  grave,  Gethsemane,  for  me? 
An  Easter  morn  for  those  who  trust  in  thee? 
Sorrow  and  pain  are  o'er,  then  by  His  grace 
Hail  Easter  morn!    To  wake  and  see  His  face. 


40 


CHRISTMAS 

THE  spirit  of  Christmas! 
O  come  let  it  reign 
In  church  and  in  market 
In  street  and  in  lane. 
So  long  as  the  earth 
Has  sadness  and  tears 
So  long  as  the  Christ 
Brings  comfort  and  cheer 
To  hearts  that  are  weary 
And  lonely,  I  hold 
The  spirit  of  Christmas 
Shall  never  grow  old. 


ONLY  A  TEACHER 

ONLY  a  teacher 
But  to  her  it  is  given 
To  open  the  eyes 
To  a  glorious  vision 
And  no  one  again 
Can  close  out  the  light 
To  minds  opened  once 
To  a  heavenly  sight. 

Only  a  teacher 
But  to  her  it  is  given 
To  plant  in  fresh  souls 
Some  seeds  from  heaven 
That  shall  glow  in  the  darkness 
And  even  in  strife 
That  shall  blossom  for  aye 
In  eternal  life. 


HOPE 

HOPE  is  a  lovely  maiden 
That  comes  to  us  all  laden 
With  joy  and  love  and  sweet  success 
And  all  that  seems  in  life  to  bless. 
Sometimes  she  does  deceive  us 
And  then  we  bid  her  leave  us 
But  if  she  really  does  depart 
Night  settles  down  upon  the  heart; 
But  soon  she  comes  back  creeping 
And  soothes  away  our  weeping 
And  thus  while  times  we  doubt  her 
We  cannot  live  without  her 
This  lovely  little  maiden 
With  gifts  of  life  so  laden. 


43 


THE  NEW-MOWN  HAY 

SWEET  is  the  smell  of  new-mown  hay 

The  reapers  are  cutting  so  gaily  to-day 

It  smells  of  sunshine  of  showers  and  dew 

Clover  and  daisies  and  buttercups  too 

It  smells  as  if  the  grass  had  caught 

Some  of  the  south  breeze  fragrance  that  brought 

Spring's  frail  blossoms  out  of  the  trees 

Kept  it  all  summer,  now  lends  it  to  me 

The  smell  so  sweet  of  the  new-mown  hay 

Is  the  garnered  sweetness  of  summer  days. 


44 


WHEN  AUTUMN  COMES 

THERE'S  a  crimson  leaf  in  the  maple  tree 
There's  a  song  in  my  heart  this  sight  to  see 
For  autumn  I  love  so  fair  is  she. 

There's  a  touch  of  gold  in  my  garden  fair 
There  are  golden   thoughts  in  my  heart  so  rare 
For  autumn  is  here  her  beauty  I  share. 

There's  a  purple  touch  by  the  highway  road 
There's  joy  for  my  heart's  forgotten  its  load 
For  autumn  yields  beauty  where  no  man  sowed. 

There's  a  bracing  breath  by  the  west  wind  sent 
There  are  shadows  deep  on  the  hills  cloud  lent 
Autumn  has  come  and  my  heart's  content. 


45 


WHITE  CAPS 

THE  wind  came  out  of  the  north  and  blew 

And  then  on  the  waters  the  white  caps  grew, 

The    water   was   black   and    the   caps   were  white 

And  it  looked  like  an  army  coming  in  sight; 

Helmets  gleaming,  on,  on,  they  came 

Wave  upon  wave  yet  always  the  same 

And  all  the  armies  of  days  gone  by 

Came  up  to  me  and  passed  me  by 

And  the  noble  deeds  of  the  days  of  yore 

Came  with  the  white  caps  to  the  shore. 


46 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
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